Steel pallet

ABSTRACT

A steel pallet is disclosed. Separate upper and lower plates are placed to contact each other and are coupled through bending to produce an integrated structure, so that high durability, high strength, and lightness of the steel pallet are realized, thus allowing the steel pallet to be rapidly and conveniently transported or stored using a forklift of a forklift truck. The steel pallet includes a main body formed by coupling separate upper and lower plates with each other, and a leg secured to an underside of the main body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to steel pallets, and more particularly, to a steel pallet, in which separate upper and lower plates are placed to contact each other and are coupled through bending to produce an integrated structure, so that high durability, high strength, and lightness of the steel pallet are realized, thus allowing the steel pallet to be rapidly and conveniently transported or stored using a forklift of a forklift truck.

BACKGROUND ART

As scientific technique has rapidly developed together with the development of industrial society, the mass production of products has been generalized through factory automation. Thereby, the quantity of goods that must be transported has rapidly increased, and thus the number of warehouses has considerably increased and the automation of distribution has been widely adopted.

Due to such a change, freight is transported generally using a forklift truck in a variety of industrial fields. In order to more rapidly transport heavy freight, the freight is loaded onto a pallet having a predetermined shape so that the freight is loaded into or unloaded from a storage compartment of a transporting vehicle.

Thus, even when one desires to store the freight in a warehouse or the like, the freight is generally loaded on the pallet.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general wood pallet. The pallet includes a plurality of upper plate members 1 and middle plate members 2, which are arranged at predetermined intervals and meet at right angles. A plurality of spacer blocks 4 is provided under the middle plate members 2, has a predetermined height to allow a fork lift (not shown) of a forklift truck to be inserted into the pallet, and is supported by lower plate members 3. They are integrally coupled to each other using nails 5.

However, the wood pallet is problematic in that the strength is low because of its properties, so that the wood pallet may be easily broken when it collides with an external object during the use of the wood pallet, and thus the lifespan of the wood pallet is short, and it is very complicated to repair the wood pallet when it is broken. Further, the wood pallet is problematic in that exhausted pallets must be discarded whole, thus wasting natural resources and causing environmental pollution.

Thus, in recent years, in order to overcome the problems of the wood pallet, a pallet made of a synthetic resin material has been proposed and used. However, the pallet made of the synthetic resin material is problematic in that it is produced as an integrated structure using a mold, so that the pallet is relatively heavy and is easily deformed, and in addition, when the pallet is deformed, the pallet must be replaced with a new one.

Further, in order to overcome the problems of the pallet made of the synthetic resin material, a steel pallet has been proposed and used.

Since the conventional steel pallet comprises many elements, the elements must be individually fastened using fastening means, such as bolts, so as to complete the pallet. Thus, the conventional steel pallet manufactured in this way is problematic in that a long manufacturing time is required, the manufacturing cost is increased, and the weight of the steel pallet is high, so that it is difficult to handle, and high transportation costs are incurred.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steel pallet, in which separate upper and lower plates contact each other and are coupled to each other through bending, thus producing a light steel pallet, so that it is easy to handle, the steel pallet is resistant to fire, and the steel pallet can be hygienically managed and stored.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steel pallet, in which upper and lower plates are individually manufactured through pressing, and thereafter, are integrated with each other by bending contact parts of the upper and lower plates, so that the steel pallet has high durability and increased strength, and has no sharp corners, thus preventing goods loaded onto the pallet from being broken, and ensuring a worker's safety.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a steel pallet, in which anti-slip protuberances are provided on the top of the pallet, thus preventing goods loaded on the pallet from slipping from the pallet when the goods are loaded onto or unloaded from the pallet or are transported.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a steel pallet, in which the lightness of the pallet is achieved, thus reducing distribution costs due to reduction in the unnecessary weight of loaded goods.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a steel pallet, in which joined parts of upper and lower plates do not protrude to the outside, thus providing a clean and good appearance and having high quality.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a steel pallet, including a main body formed by coupling separate upper and lower plates with each other, and a leg secured to an underside of the main body.

The upper and lower plates of the main body are coupled to each other through bending.

Further, the upper and lower plates of the main body are coupled to each other through welding.

The upper plate of the main body is open at a bottom thereof, thus defining a first space such that the lower plate is fitted into the upper plate, the upper plate is bent toward the first space at a plurality of locations, thus defining a plurality of first locking holes, with a first extension part provided in each of the first locking holes to form a step, and a plurality of first support holes is provided between the first locking holes.

Further, the lower plate of the main body is open at a top thereof, thus defining a second space, the lower plate is bent toward the second space at a plurality of locations, thus defining a plurality of second locking holes to correspond to the first locking holes, with a second extension part provided in each of the second locking holes to form a step, and a plurality of second support holes is provided between the second locking holes to correspond to the first support holes in the upper plate.

One of the first and second extension parts provided in the first and second locking holes is larger than a remaining one of the first and second extension parts.

The first and second extension parts provided in the first and second locking holes have the same length.

Further, each of the first support holes formed in the upper plate is smaller than a corresponding second support hole formed in the lower plate.

An edge of each of the first and second support holes is inclined downwards.

The leg is fastened to each of the first and second support holes in the upper and lower plates through force fitting, the leg has a space therein, each of the first support holes is positioned inside the leg, and each of the second support holes is positioned outside the leg.

An edge of each of the second support holes, supporting the leg, is bent towards the second space.

An edge of each of the second support holes, supporting the leg, is bent downwards.

The steel pallet further includes an anti-slip unit for preventing goods from slipping from the upper plate of the main body.

The anti-slip unit includes a plurality of anti-slip protuberances which protrude from edges of a top of the upper plate.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

As described above, the steel pallet according to the present invention is advantageous in that, first, separate upper and lower plates contact each other and are coupled to each other through bending, thus producing a light steel pallet having a space therein, so that it is easy to handle, the steel pallet is resistant to fire, and it is easy to wash, so that the steel pallet can be hygienically managed and stored.

Second, the steel pallet according to the present invention is advantageous in that upper and lower plates are produced to have prominences and depressions through pressing, and contact parts of the upper and lower plates are coupled to each other through bending to form an integrated structure, so that the steel pallet has high durability and increased strength, and has no sharp corners, thus preventing goods loaded onto the pallet from being broken, and ensuring a worker's safety.

Third, the steel pallet according to the present invention is advantageous in that anti-slip protuberances are provided on the top of the pallet, thus preventing goods loaded on the pallet from slipping from the pallet when the goods are loaded onto or unloaded from the pallet or are transported.

Fourth, the steel pallet according to the present invention is advantageous in that the lightness of the pallet is achieved, thus reducing distribution costs due to reduction in the unnecessary weight of loaded goods.

Fifth, the steel pallet according to the present invention is advantageous in that joined parts of upper and lower plates do not protrude to the outside, thus providing a clean and good appearance and having high quality.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional pallet;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a steel pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view illustrating the steel pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the steel pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating portion A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating portion B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a steel pallet according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a steel pallet according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Hereinbelow, a steel pallet of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a steel pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front sectional view illustrating the steel pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the steel pallet according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating portion A of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating portion B of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the steel pallet 100 according to the present invention is produced through sheet metal working using a thin rectangular plate, and is provided with a main body 110, which comprises separate upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b. The upper plate and the lower plate 112 b are in contact with each other and correspond to each other, and are bent to have a space therebetween, thus forming the main body.

Here, the upper plate 112 a of the main body 110 has side surfaces 116 a. One edge of each side surface is bent downwards, thus defining a first space 114 a such that the lower portion of the upper plate is open. The upper plate is bent towards the first space 114 a at a plurality of locations, thus defining a plurality of first locking holes 118 a which are arranged at regular intervals in longitudinal and lateral directions.

Further, a first extension part 119 a is stepped in each first locking hole 118 a in such a way as to extend inwards.

Preferably, each first locking hole 118 a has a circular shape. However, the first locking hole may have various shapes, such as a square, a hexagon, or an octagon.

Further, the lower plate 112 b of the main body 110 is manufactured through sheet metal working using a sheet plate to have the same shape as the upper plate 112 a.

That is, the lower plate 112 b is manufactured to have a rectangular shape which corresponds to the upper plate 112 a, through sheet metal working using a sheet plate. Each edge of the lower plate is bent upwards to form a side surface 116 b, thus defining a second space 114 b such that the upper portion of the lower plate is open. Here, the lower plate is formed to be smaller than the upper plate 112 a such that each side surface 116 b is fitted into the first space 114 a of the upper plate and is supported by the inner surface of each side surface 116 a of the upper plate 112 a.

Of course, each side surface 116 a of the upper plate 112 a may be formed to be larger than each side surface 116 b of the lower plate 112 b, so that the lower plate 112 b is inserted into the upper plate 112 a.

Here, the lower plate is bent toward the second space 114 b at a plurality of locations, thus defining a plurality of second locking holes 118 b which are arranged at regular intervals in longitudinal and lateral directions.

Further, a second extension part 119 b is stepped in each second locking hole 118 b in such a way as to extend inwards. The second extension part 119 b is formed to contact the first extension part 119 a of the first locking hole 118 a in the upper plate 112 a, and is smaller than the first extension part 119 a. One end of the first extension part 119 a is bent, thus providing a bent part 120 which surrounds the second extension part 119 b in a direction from an upper position to a lower position.

Thus, since the first extension part 119 a provided in the first locking hole 118 a surrounds the second extension part 119 b provided in the second locking hole 118 b using the bent part 120, the upper plate 112 a and the lower plate 112 b are firmly coupled to each other.

Further, second support holes 122 b, each having rectangular shape, are formed between the plurality of second locking holes 118 b.

Preferably, the inner diameter of each second support hole 122 b is larger than that of a first support hole 122 a in the upper plate 112 a. Each of the first and second support holes 122 a and 122 b has the rectangular shape, but may have various shapes, including a circular shape, a hexagonal shape, and an octagonal shape.

Thus, the first and second spaces 114 a and 114 b are combined with each other in the main body 110 by coupling the first and second extension parts 119 a and 119 b, provided in the first and second locking holes 118 a and 118 b of the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b, to each other through bending. Prominences and depressions formed in the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b by the spaces serve to increase the strength of the main body 110, so that high durability and lightness of the main body 110 are achieved.

Meanwhile, edges of the first and second support holes 122 a and 122 b of the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b are inclined inwards.

Further, legs 124 are inserted into the underside of the lower plate 112 b of the main body 110. The legs 124 are force fitted into the second support holes 122 b in the lower plate 112 b and the first support holes in the upper plate.

Here, a plurality of legs 124 is fastened to the center and edges of the main body 110.

That is, the legs 124 are force-fitted into the first and second support holes 122 a and 122 b in the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b, which are positioned in respective corners of the underside of the rectangular main body 110, the central line of the main body, and middle positions between neighboring corners.

Here, the number of legs 124 may be changed according to the weight of loaded goods and the size of the main body 110.

Each leg 124 has the shape of a square pillar which has a space therein and a through hole in the bottom thereof. The leg is fitted into the bottom of the lower plate 112 b such that each second support hole 122 b in the lower plate 112 b is positioned outside the leg 124, and each first support hole 122 a in the upper plate is positioned inside the leg 124. Due to the inclination angles of the first and second support holes 122 a and 122 b, the first support hole 122 a generates an outward pressing force, and the second support hole 122 b generates an inward pressing force, thus firmly holding the leg 124.

The through hole formed in each leg 124 is used to discharge water from the interior of the leg 124.

Further, an anti-slip unit 130 is provided on the main body 110 so as to prevent goods from slipping from the main body when the goods are loaded on the pallet.

Here, the anti-slip unit 130 includes a plurality of anti-slip protuberances 132 which are provided on each edge of the top of the upper plate 112 a to be arranged in one row or two or more rows.

Thus, the anti-slip protuberances 132 are provided on the top of the upper plate 112 a of the main body 110, thus preventing goods from being removed from the main body during a loading or transporting operation, therefore allowing the goods to be safely loaded and transported.

In the steel pallet 100 of the present invention, constructed as described above, the upper plate and the lower plate 112 b are manufactured through sheet metal working. The upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b are coupled to each other through bending, thus being firmly secured to each other. In this case, the spaces are defined between the contact parts of the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b, so that the lightness of the pallet is achieved. Further, the upper and lower plates are supported by the first and second locking holes 118 a and 118 b, which are coupled to each other through bending. Therefore, in comparison with the conventional pallet, which is made of wood or synthetic resin, the strength of the steel pallet is considerably increased, so that the steel pallet can sufficiently support even heavy goods without deformation of the pallet.

Thus, the deformation of the pallet due to the cumulative weight of goods hardly occurs. Further, the pallet is not easily broken or deformed by external shocks when goods are transported by a forklift truck.

Further, the anti-slip protuberances 132 are provided on the top of the upper plates 112 a, thus preventing goods from slipping from and falling off of the pallet when the goods loaded on the pallet 100 are transported or carried, therefore preventing the goods from breaking.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the lightness of the pallet 100 is achieved, so that it is easy to handle, and the pallet has high durability. Since the pallet may be washed using water, it is possible to hygienically store and use the pallet. Due to the reduction in the unnecessary weight of loaded goods, specific duties are reduced, and distribution costs are also reduced. In the event of a fire, the steel pallet is safer than a pallet made of wood or synthetic resin. The manufacturing process of the steel pallet is simple, so that the reduction in manufacturing cost is realized.

Further, since the entire steel pallet 100 is made of metal, the lifespan of the steel pallet is much longer than a pallet made of wood or synthetic resin. Even when the exhausted pallet is discarded, the steel pallet can be recycled. Thereby, unlike the conventional pallet, the waste of resources and environmental pollution are prevented.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a steel pallet according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, a steel pallet 100 of the present invention includes a main body 110. The main body includes upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b. First and second locking holes 118 a and 118 b are formed, respectively, in the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b. First and second extension parts 119 a and 119 b are bent in the first and second locking holes, and are in support contact with each other. Here, the first and second extension parts are formed to have the same length. The contact parts of the first and second extension parts are welded, so that the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b are firmly coupled to each other, thus providing the main body.

The general construction of the second embodiment remains the same as the first embodiment, except that the upper and lower plates 112 a and 112 b are coupled to each other through welding, unlike the first embodiment, in which the upper and lower plates are coupled to each other through bending. Thus, a description of the general construction will be omitted herein.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a steel pallet according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, a second support hole 122 b in a lower plate 112 b, which supports a leg 124 of a steel pallet 100, is configured such that an edge of the second support hole is bent downwards to surround the outer portion of the leg 124.

As such, the edge of the second support hole 122 b of the lower plate 112 b, supporting the leg 124, is bent downwards, so that a first support hole 122 a is positioned inside the leg 124 to support the upper portion of the leg, and the second support hole 122 b supports the outer portion of the leg, which is spaced apart from the upper portion of the leg 124. This construction prevents the undesirable movement of the leg 124, in addition to more firmly supporting the leg.

Since the general construction of the third embodiment remains the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiments, it will not be described herein.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention provides a steel pallet. To produce the steel pallet, separate upper and lower plates are placed to contact each other and are coupled through bending to produce an integrated structure. Thereby, high durability, high strength, and lightness of the steel pallet are realized, thus allowing the steel pallet to be rapidly and conveniently transported or stored using a forklift of a forklift truck. 

1. A steel pallet, comprising: a main body formed by coupling separate upper and lower plates with each other; and a leg secured to an underside of the main body.
 2. The steel pallet according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower plates of the main body are coupled to each other through bending.
 3. The steel pallet according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower plates of the main body are coupled to each other through welding.
 4. The steel pallet according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate of the main body is open at a bottom thereof, thus defining a first space such that the lower plate is fitted into the upper plate, the upper plate is bent toward the first space at a plurality of locations, thus defining a plurality of first locking holes, with a first extension part provided in each of the first locking holes to form a step, and a plurality of first support holes is provided between the first locking holes.
 5. The steel pallet according to claim 1, wherein. the lower plate of the main body is open at a top thereof, thus defining a second space, the lower plate is bent toward the second space at a plurality of locations, thus defining a plurality of second locking holes to correspond to the first locking holes, with a second extension part provided in each of the second locking holes to form a step, and a plurality of second support holes is provided between the second locking holes to correspond to the first support holes in the upper plate.
 6. The steel pallet according to claim 4, wherein one of the first and second extension parts provided in the first and second locking holes is larger than a remaining one of the first and second extension parts.
 7. The steel pallet according to claim 5, wherein the first and second extension parts provided in the first and second locking holes have the same length.
 8. The steel pallet according to claim 4, wherein each of the first support holes formed in the upper plate is smaller than a corresponding second support hole formed in the lower plate.
 9. The steel pallet according to claim 8, wherein an edge of each of the first and second support holes is inclined downwards.
 10. The steel pallet according to claim 9, wherein the leg is fastened to each of the first and second support holes in the upper and lower plates through force fitting, the leg has a space therein, each of the first support holes is positioned inside the leg, and each of the second support holes is positioned outside the leg.
 11. The steel pallet according to claim 10, wherein an edge of each of the second support holes, supporting the leg, is bent towards the second space.
 12. The steel pallet according to claim 10, wherein an edge of each of the second support holes, supporting the leg, is bent downwards.
 13. The steel pallet according to claim 1, further comprising: an anti-slip unit for preventing goods from slipping from the upper plate of the main body.
 14. The steel pallet according to claim 13, wherein the anti-slip unit comprises a plurality of anti-slip protuberances which protrude from edges of a top of the upper plate.
 15. The steel pallet according to claim 5, wherein each of the first support holes formed in the upper plate is smaller than a corresponding second support hole formed in the lower plate.
 16. The steel pallet according to claim 15, wherein an edge of each of the first and second support holes is inclined downwards.
 17. The steel pallet according to claim 16, wherein the leg is fastened to each of the first and second support holes in the upper and lower plates through force fitting, the leg has a space therein, each of the first support holes is positioned inside the leg, and each of the second support holes is positioned outside the leg.
 18. The steel pallet according to claim 10, wherein an edge of each of the second support holes, supporting the leg, is bent towards the second space.
 19. The steel pallet according to claim 10, wherein an edge of each of the second support holes, supporting the leg, is bent downwards. 